Small moments

When I get stressed from the overload and endless demands at work, I feel the need to be creative.  I'm working in a Moleskin journal, which I've entitled 'the book of small moments'.  The big moments in our lives are rare and we usually look forward to them so much.  But our lives are actually made up of 10 000 small moments every day, and that's what I'm documenting.  Thoughts, feelings, ideas, lists, and so on.   And it's a reason to play with paint and stamps and stuff that I love.  I'll be offering a retreat in 2015 to make this journal.

 

HeartMap Retreat

I hosted my 3rd retreat for women on Saturday. The beautiful weather combined with the gorgeous venue at Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens was the ideal setting for the retreat. 6 ladies joined me on retreat, and I was very blessed to have my special friend Lynn, co-hosting with me.

I see art and creativity as a special gift that I give to myself, and it brings such joy to my life. That's part of what I share with the ladies on retreat. I love it when the 'non-artists' discover how easy it is to make art, and they then fall in love with paint and doodling and pottering around with art supplies. My sister, Caron, kept saying "I can't believe I made that!!" Awesome...
 

The end of a beautiful day - Alison, Caron, Lynn and Lynette

Lynn and I - her support and encouragement means sooo much to me!

Lynn made these delicious cupcakes with hidden centers

 Wendy and her very talented daughter Linda, who is doing a Masters degree in Art Therapy in Edinburgh

Lynn, Marlene and Kalnisha

Kalnisha and Marlene

My beautiful sister, Caron

Marlene painting hearts

Promise books

Linda's heart cards

Lynette's heart cards

Marlene's heart cards

Wendy's heart cards

Caron's heart cards

Kalnisha's heart cards

Ready to Retreat

I am so looking forward to hosting the Heartmap Retreat this Saturday for a group of awesome, brave, creative women!  I am packed and ready to roll with a ton of creative supplies and yummy treats for the ladies to enjoy. 

 

Here is a sneak peek at one of the projects...

 

 

Never forget

Never Forget that You may be a Messenger

Understand that ordinary people are messengers of the Most High.  They go about their tasks in holy anonymity.  Often, even unknown to themselves.  Yet if they had not been there, if they had not said what they had said, or done what they had done, it would not be the way that it is now.  We would not be the way that we are now.  Never forget that you too are a messenger.

            

** Lawrence Kushner ** in 'Honey from the Rock'

Peanut Butter and Grace

 

"God is spreading grace around in the world like a five-year-old spreads peanut butter - thickly, sloppily, eagerly, and if we are in the back room trying to stay clean, we won't even get a taste"

 

Throw caution to the wind and jump into the middle of things today!

 

** Donna Schaper in Stripping Down**

Retreat preparation

I'm joyfully preparing for the next retreat in August.  It is going to be sooo awesome!

This is princess Ruby, who 'helps' me

Weekend retreat

We're having a 'warm' winter here in South Africa, and if you're in the northern hemisphere, you're enjoying summer.  The weekend is here...why not retreat into nature? 

 

Go on a mini retreat in nature for an hour or an afternoon or a day this weekend.  Here are a few ideas...

 

* If you have a garden, go out there and plant something; the winter pansies are cheap and cheerful and are happiest in a sunny spot

 

* go for a walk in nature - to a park or botanical garden or just stroll through your suburb to admire other people's gardens

 

* close you eyes and listen to the wind in the trees...breathe very deeply

 

* take note of the birds out there, listen to them and really LOOK at them, see their colours and shape; appreciate how they can survive outdoors in weather that is sometimes harsh

 

* doodle and draw and paint nature as you see it

 

“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature - the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter” 

              ** Rachel Carson (Silent Spring) **